THE stage adaptation of a novel which tries to unravel the mystery of what happened to the first instrument John Lennon learned to play will premiere at Liverpool's Epstein Theatre next spring.

Lennon's Banjo, Produced by Pulse Records Ltd in association with Bill Elms, will be staged from April 24 – May 5.

Adapted from the book Julia's Banjo by Wirral musician Rob Fennah and Helen A Jones, it is based on the mystery of what has been described as the Holy Grail of pop memorabilia, which would now be worth millions to whoever finds it.

In his teenage years John Lennon's mother, Julia, taught him to play her banjo but it went missing and nobody knows what happened to it.

In the book a Beatles tour guide finds a letter, written by John, that contains a clue to solving the greatest mystery in pop music.

Although the story is a work of fiction, the plot is weaved around hard Beatle facts which the authors hope will inspire people to start searching their attics and cellars.

The cast features Eric Potts as tour guide and Beatle nerd Barry, Jake Abraham as disgruntled Beatles Shop co-owner Steve, Lynn Francis as pub landlady Brenda and Roy Carruthers as ruthless Texan businessman Tony DeVito.

Summing up the story of Julia's Banjo co-author Rob Fenna, a singer/songwriter and producer, originally from Greasby but now living in New Brighton, told the Globe: "It's like The Beatles meets The Da Vinci Code.

"As a huge Beatles' fan myself, I have matched the story to historical reality including dates, places and events.

"I want everyone to enjoy the romp through Beatledom in search of the holy grail of pop memorabilia and come out of the theatre believing, as I do, that the banjo is still out there somewhere just waiting to be found."

It was Julia who turned John onto rock 'n' roll and actively encouraged him to pursue his musical ambitions; much to the disapproval of his Aunt Mimi with whom he lived.

Shortly after Julia’s death in 1958 the banjo went missing.

No-one has set eyes on it since.

It is well documented that Lennon was estranged from his parents and brought up by his Aunt Mimi.

He said in many of his interviews: "I lost my mother twice.

"Once when I was five-years-old when she left me with my Aunt Mimi, and again at 17 when she was run over by a drunken off-duty police officer.”

It was Julia Lennon who introduced John to the world of pop music, teaching him to play rock and roll on a banjo, given to her by John's grandfather.

Lennon often recounted how he would sneak off to visit his mum who lived only a few miles away. There, he would learn to play songs like That'll Be The Day.

He has been quoted as saying: "Mum would sit there with endless patience until I managed to work out all the chords."

Lennon's Banjo is directed by Mark Heller.

He said: "I'm really excited to be a part of Lennon's Banjo, and to work with such a talented experienced cast.

"I can't wait to jump, full steam ahead, into rehearsals and start exploring this adventurous mystery caper that Rob has created with his marvellous script – working with the cast to bring these fun, eclectic bunch of characters to life.”

Tickets for the show are now available from the Epstein Theatre box office at www.epsteinliverpool.co.uk or 0844 888 4411